An Axelrod Sometimes Forgets

Axelrod in ’94: Excessive optimism alienates struggling middle class

As Clinton administration officials criticize Team Obama for failing to help the middle class, a 1994 video of David Axelrod shows him criticizing the political tactics he is today employing as the Obama campaign’s mastermind.

"One of the interesting things about this is that as you cite these statistics that say the economy is improving, you almost do political damage to yourself. If you stand up and claim great progress you’re only frustrating this alienated middle class more," Axelrod said.

The moderator, John Callaway, noted that Ronald Reagan had been able to talk up the economy in 1984, while George W. Bush had been unable to in 1992.

"Bush tastelessly did it often from the ninth hole and from the cigar boat and other places. And the impression you got was that he was out of touch," Axelrod said.